Instead of the Colchester Community Stadium, London Road played host to the start of the Michael Flynn era at Swindon Town, as his side not only matched their League One opponents but looked the better side over the 100 minutes.
With Town having an encouraging twenty-three shots in the game, finding the target nine times, an impressive stat going into the new season against a strong Peterborough United side.
The Welshman made only one change from his named side last Saturday, with new arrival Liam Kinsella replacing George McEachran in midfield with the former Chelsea man picking up an illness.
Like in pre-season, it was Rushian Hepburn-Murphy, who was the standout on the night as he looked a constant threat in possession and scored a superb solo goal to level the game.
Ever since returning from his injury midway through last season, the former Aston Villa striker has shown signs of improvement in a Town shirt. If he can stay fit, there’s no doubt he can hit 15+ goals this season.
In its first showing against a talented Peterborough side, the new back three of Frazer Blake-Tracey, Tom Brewitt, and Udoka “John Legend” Godwin-Malife made a good start as they looked steady and reliable.
Tom Brewitt was the pick of the back three, with a dominating display to keep the Boro strikers quiet all night.
When brought in at the end of last season, not much was expected after his last spell in English football ended with him being released by Morecombe in 2020.
But his time in the United States playing for Tacoma Defiance in the third tier of American “soccer” and then Hartford Athletic in the USL Championship made a difference, as since his arrival in Wiltshire, he’s looked a solid, tidy player and has become a first-team regular.
Sadly, despite the impressive team and individual performances Town ended the evening again knocked out in the first round of the League Cup, the ninth time in a row we’ve bowed out at this stage.
But attention now turns back to League Two and the first competitive game at the County Ground this season, as we welcome Crewe Alexandra, who began their season with a 2-2 draw at home to Mansfield Town.
The change in atmosphere and excitement for the new season in just a few weeks amongst the fanbase has been night and day, as just a few weeks ago before the new arrivals, and impressive showings against Plymouth and Peterborough, fans, myself included, were worried going into the new campaign.
But with some talented new additions, with a few more on the way before the end of the month, and seeing how the new manager wants his team to play, I predict a large crowd at the County Ground this Saturday to see if Michael Flynn can get off to a winning start at SN1.